Boys basketball: Three teams advance in second round of regional playoffs | Observer Preps

Regional playoffs for boys basketball continued last night, with three of four Observer Preps teams covered by the West Orange Times & Observer, the Windermere Observer and the Winter Park-Maitland Observer proving victorious and advancing.

Class 9A Regional Semifinals

West Orange 58, Boone 47

The Warriors trailed early, but led by strong efforts from Darrell Harding (14 points, eight rebounds) and K.J. Simon (12 points), were able to come back and score the road playoff victory. NEXT UP: West Orange willl travel to Sanford to take on Seminole (26-3) at 7 p.m. Friday in the Class 9A, Region 1 Final. The Seminoles are winners of 16 in-a-row.

Oak Ridge 79, Dr. Phillips 46

The Panthers (19-9) fell behind early, as the Pioneers (27-4) jumped out to an 8-1 lead before the game’s first timeout. Dr. Phillips would finish the quarter down 25-9 and was never able to recover.

“We were overmatched by their talent,” said Dr. Phillips head coach Daniel Batchelor. “They’re a very talented team and it came in waves.”

Class 8A Regional Semifinals

Edgewater 91, Viera 75

Michael Eads Jr. scored 30 points for the Eagles (24-5) as they took an early lead and never looked back. NEXT UP: The Eagles will host Winter Haven (23-9) in the regional final at 7 p.m. Friday. Winter Haven is led by Keyshawn Bryant, who averages 22.4 points per game.

Class 2A Regional Final

CFCA 65, Florida Prep 53

Knotted up with Florida Prep in a 45-45 tie with 4:10 left in the FHSAA Class 2A, Region 3 Final, the Eagles (28-3) outscored the Falcons 20-8 the rest of the way, sealing a 65-53 win — and the program’s first trip to the FHSAA Final Four since 1997. NEXT UP: CFCA will face Miami Christian at the RP Funding Center in Lakeland in the state semifinals. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. Monday.

Senior Sports Editor Steven Ryzewski and Observer Preps contributing writer Nate Marrero compiled this report.